In Case of Emergency: Always Carry This Health Information

Those of us of a certain age will remember a radio (and later television show) called Dragnet, where the hard-boiled detective Joe Friday would tell witnesses to alleged crimes, “All we want are the facts, ma’am…” The detective, played by Jack Webb, was often short on time and full of questions, so he needed to get to the point.

When you as a patient need to go to the emergency room, and time counts, the doctors and nurses need “just the facts” to get a rapid and accurate assessment of your medical history and condition. Recently, a financial services adviser I know wanted to make a service available for his clients. The service would provide essential medical information in just such a scenario so that medical personnel can quickly assess what’s important in one’s medical history. I thought that was a great idea.

In light of that, I’d like to share with my readers the kind of information you need to share quickly and accurately, whether on a 5″ x 8″ card, a piece of paper or some electronic device, in case of a medical emergency.

Roughly, the information falls into five basic categories: drug and food allergies, medication list, ongoing medical conditions, prior surgeries and medical directives. Most are self-explanatory, but let’s talk about each.

Drug and food allergies (and sensitivities) are essential to communicate to medical people. An allergy is where you get a true anaphylactic reaction to a drug or food—where you may break out in hives, you have difficulty breathing and your windpipe swells. This is not to be confused with a sensitivity or adverse reaction, where an antibiotic might cause stomach upset. Also, food allergies, such as to shellfish, are important to know about because some intravenous contrast dyes might cause an anaphylactic reaction when given to such patients.

Your medication list is an important part of your medical history. You should include all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and supplements on this list. This ensures that medical folks know what you are taking and what drug choices to make when treating you while you are under their care. It’s also helpful to reduce the incidence of adverse drug interactions or overdose.

Medical conditions. The importance of divulging your ongoing medical conditions is self-explanatory. Doctors and nurses need to know your major medical conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, thyroid problems, cancers, autoimmune diseases and the like. Use common sense when compiling this list; it’s not essential that personnel know you once had poison ivy or an ear infection years ago.

Prior surgeries. Again, use common sense. The fact that you had your appendix out is very important if you have abdominal pain. The fact that you had a small non-cancerous skin lesion removed 10 years ago is not important. When in doubt, ask your doctor what to put down on your list.

Medical directives. Finally, your directives regarding your “code” status (relating to heroic, life-saving measures), your religious preferences (e.g., Jehovah’s witnesses do not accept blood transfusions), whether you have a living will, your organ donor status, and the contact numbers for your primary doctor, family and friends who are responsible for you go a long way in reducing ambiguity and confusion.

So be smart and take time to fill out these items. Carry it with you…give copies to key loved ones…and remember to review it periodically for updates. That way, when you are asked to present “just the facts,” you’ll be ready.

print

Advertisement

About What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You

Dr. David Sherer is bold enough to tell you what others in the medical profession haven't the courage to say, with inside information on health, healthcare, related public policy and the latest in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease.

About David Sherer

David Sherer, MD, is an American physician, author and inventor. He is the lead author of Dr. David Sherer’s Hospital Survival Guide: 100+ Ways to Make Your Hospital Stay Safe and Comfortable. He is a member of Leading Physicians of the World, and a multi-time winner of HealthTap’s leading anesthesiologists award. Currently, Dr. Sherer practices anesthesiology in the suburbs of Washington D.C., and has held two U.S. patents in the fields of critical care medicine and telecommunications.

Appearing in all forms of media, he is a tireless advocate for hospitalized patients, and believes that individual responsibility, and not government intervention, is the key to improving the general health and wellbeing of all Americans. His memoir, The House of Black and White: My Life with and Search for Louise Johnson is his first work of non-medically related nonfiction.

Blogs

About Us

For over four decades, we’ve brought you the best in wellness and wealth advice from our family of experts. Isn’t it time that you get “inside” America’s trusted source? bottomlineinc.com brings you useful, expert, actionable information to help you navigate your world, saving time and money along the way. Bottom Line... empowering your life with expert advice!

Bottom Line, Inc. publishes the opinions of expert authorities in many fields These opinions are for educational and illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as either individual advice or as a substitute for legal, accounting, investment, medical and other professional services intended to suit your specific personal needs. Always consult a competent professional for answers specific to your questions and circumstances. Our content is further subject to our Terms and Conditions

In Case of Emergency: Always Carry This Health Information

Those of us of a certain age will remember a radio (and later television show) called Dragnet, where the hard-boiled detective Joe Friday would tell witnesses to alleged crimes, “All we want are the facts, ma’am…” The detective, played by Jack Webb, was often short on time and full of questions, so he needed to get to the point.

When you as a patient need to go to the emergency room, and time counts, the doctors and nurses need “just the facts” to get a rapid and accurate assessment of your medical history and condition. Recently, a financial services adviser I know wanted to make a service available for his clients. The service would provide essential medical information in just such a scenario so that medical personnel can quickly assess what’s important in one’s medical history. I thought that was a great idea.

In light of that, I’d like to share with my readers the kind of information you need to share quickly and accurately, whether on a 5″ x 8″ card, a piece of paper or some electronic device, in case of a medical emergency.

Roughly, the information falls into five basic categories: drug and food allergies, medication list, ongoing medical conditions, prior surgeries and medical directives. Most are self-explanatory, but let’s talk about each.

Drug and food allergies (and sensitivities) are essential to communicate to medical people. An allergy is where you get a true anaphylactic reaction to a drug or food—where you may break out in hives, you have difficulty breathing and your windpipe swells. This is not to be confused with a sensitivity or adverse reaction, where an antibiotic might cause stomach upset. Also, food allergies, such as to shellfish, are important to know about because some intravenous contrast dyes might cause an anaphylactic reaction when given to such patients.

Your medication list is an important part of your medical history. You should include all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and supplements on this list. This ensures that medical folks know what you are taking and what drug choices to make when treating you while you are under their care. It’s also helpful to reduce the incidence of adverse drug interactions or overdose.

Medical conditions. The importance of divulging your ongoing medical conditions is self-explanatory. Doctors and nurses need to know your major medical conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, thyroid problems, cancers, autoimmune diseases and the like. Use common sense when compiling this list; it’s not essential that personnel know you once had poison ivy or an ear infection years ago.

Prior surgeries. Again, use common sense. The fact that you had your appendix out is very important if you have abdominal pain. The fact that you had a small non-cancerous skin lesion removed 10 years ago is not important. When in doubt, ask your doctor what to put down on your list.

Medical directives. Finally, your directives regarding your “code” status (relating to heroic, life-saving measures), your religious preferences (e.g., Jehovah’s witnesses do not accept blood transfusions), whether you have a living will, your organ donor status, and the contact numbers for your primary doctor, family and friends who are responsible for you go a long way in reducing ambiguity and confusion.

So be smart and take time to fill out these items. Carry it with you…give copies to key loved ones…and remember to review it periodically for updates. That way, when you are asked to present “just the facts,” you’ll be ready.